Ricky Ponting insists Cameron Bancroft should be David Warner’s replacement once the veteran Australia opener bows out of Test cricket in January.
WA’s Bancroft is again the Sheffield Shield’s top run-scorer after smashing 945 runs – almost 300 more than the next best – last summer.
Despite the 31-year-old’s domestic success, Bancroft was still overlooked for Marcus Harris for a spare batting spot in Australia’s Ashes squad in June.
Harris and Queenslander Matt Renshaw loom as the other candidates at the top of the order to partner Usman Khawaja after Warner’s farewell at the SCG.
However, Ponting believes Bancroft needed to be recalled for his first Test since 2019 due to his sheer weight of runs.
“If you look at those three guys, I think it’s quite clear that Bancroft is the one that’s got the runs on the board and I wouldn’t be surprised if they (selectors) go that way,” the legendary former Australia captain told SEN on Thursday.
“If you wind the clock back about six months it might have been a slightly different order than what it is now.
“I think they probably had Harris as the one that would come back in a while ago.
“To me now it sort of feels (there’s) a bit more of a groundswell behind Cameron Bancroft getting first crack.”
Australia coach Andrew McDonald has floated the possibility of Marnus Labuschagne moving up from No.3 to open so allrounder Cameron Green can slot back into the Test XI.
But Ponting has cautioned against such a move, saying Green should be forced to earn his spot by finding form in the Shield with WA.
But the prodigiously talented 24-year-old was dropped during the Ashes, just months after his maiden Test century, for Mitchell Marsh.
Cameron Green celebrates. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
“I think Cameron Green might just have to sit back and bide his time and wait for the opportunity to come back,” Ponting said.
“He can get a truckload of runs in Shield cricket and sort of force his way back into the side.
“Labuschagne has been outstanding at number three for Australia, it’s very much a specialist position.”
Ponting also believes enigmatic allrounder Glenn Maxwell should seriously be considered for a Test recall after his stunning white-ball success in India.
The Victorian played the last of his seven Tests in 2017, but his three recent international centuries, two in the ODI World Cup and one in a T20, have been irresistible.
“I could see him (Maxwell) getting back into a Test line-up because of the all-round game that he brings in those conditions,” Ponting said.
“The (201) not out in that game against Afghanistan, which is the most remarkable one-day innings I’ve ever seen.
“I’ve been around a lot of games, watched a lot of games, played a lot of games, I’ve never ever seen anything like that.”
Ponting, who captained Australia to World Cup titles in 2003 and 2007, has urged Pat Cummins’ team to maintain the rage in the Test summer when they host Pakistan and the struggling West Indies.
“I’d be saying to go as hard as you can and just really try and bury these teams and win as convincingly as you can,” Ponting said.
Ed Flanders
Roar Rookie
So does Ricky Ponting. Boy could they not have picked a greater contrast in voice?
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Harvey look at the effervescent Warner does that logic work with current players in our test lineup?
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Maxwell getting back into a Test line-up because of the all-round game that he brings in those conditions? Which conditions- bowling flat offspin on a flat Gabba, WACA or MCG? Or is he thinking about some future tour to the sub-continent? But the only one before the next World Test Championship final in June 2025 is to Sri Lanka in Jan 2025.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I wasn't thinking of you or England. I'm more a Susanna Hoffs and Olga Kurylenko kind of guy
matth
Roar Guru
It was a great sign. More please and then he becomes a 10 year middle order player for us
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
It wouldn't be right to have Maxwell who has played basically no red ball cricket in 4 years over someone younger who has bided their time in the domestic competition. Maxwell's famed all or nothing inconsistency is the number one reason for him not to play tests. Don't forget, after his 201 he was out for 1 the next time around. Par for the course.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Not taking your puns lying down
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Tom unfortunately that type of thinking is way off the mark. They don’t nurture a young bloke in the test arena.
Tony
Roar Guru
What a silly punt
Tom
Advocating for a guy in their mid 30’s to play in a test series against opponents that should be easy beats when we have the option of playing younger guys that can build some confidence playing against them looking ahead for years to come? I usually agree with Ponting’s takes but this is a shocker from him. Maxwell simply won’t play test cricket again. Ponting is wayyy of the mark.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
John Laws knows what you mean
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Don't mess with the Missionary man
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I'm now broke and punniless
badmanners
Roar Rookie
“Did Green’s 96 today say something?” Yes. It’s not always a good idea to try to smack a boundary to raise your hundred. :cricket:
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Punish punners with punitiveness,I say.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Medicinal oil man :thumbup:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Punter opinion on Maxwell is spot on & only a true cricket brain concurs with such logic.
Ed Flanders
Roar Rookie
Valvoline oil? Could be a money spinner for the Vatican? Vatican anointing courtesy of Valvoline oils.
Jack
Roar Rookie
96 from Green today. Selectors have rocks in their head if they think Marsh is a better option. Let him play BBL in prep for the t20 world cup.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Sock it to me baby!